Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a low back disability due to inadequate VA examination and duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as well as his claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities. The remand is due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected disabilities, as well as the potential impact of diabetes mellitus and PTSD on his condition.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and noting that the Veteran's symptoms did not begin during service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support a secondary service connection claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected neck and low back disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea, finding that there is no nexus to active service and the conditions were not shown within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's headache disorder, psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder due to another medical condition and unspecified anxiety), obstructive sleep apnea, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and skin disorder are all granted. However, the Veteran's service connection claims for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a right ankle disorder, and a skin disorder remain denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected allergic rhinitis/sinusitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for deviated septum and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was insufficient evidence to link these conditions to his military service. The claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU due to incomplete development. The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, which may be secondary to his service-connected disabilities or medication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and thus grants a TDIU effective November 14, 2008.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) for further development. The VA examinations were inadequate, so both issues must be reconsidered.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied it. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the service connection appeals for respiratory disorders, right shoulder disability, and left knee disability due to incomplete STRs from December 1993 to October 1994. Additional efforts are required to obtain these records.

The Board dismissed the appeal on service connection for liposarcoma of the right thigh due to the appellant's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including GERD, sleep apnea, tinnitus, and right knee strain. The Veteran will need additional VA examinations for these conditions.